Hello there, My Friend!
My apologies for not sending you a letter last week! (Did anyone miss me?) I meant to tell you the week before that I’d be in California at my daughter’s house and not be writing. As I write this letter, it’s my middle granddaughter’s 14th birthday, the reason for my visit. And guess what! I’m going to be here longer than I’d originally planned—there’s a winter storm a-brewing that is messing up my travel plans, keeping me here longer. And thus, and so, I find myself “stuck” in California.
OK, this feels like an opportunity to get something off my chest as I sit here and look out the front window at the lovely hillside. Here goes.
California is not horrible, folks.
Oh, for the times I’ve had friends ask me how my daughter can put up with living here. For some reason, people like to let me know just what they think about California, especially if it’s not good. (If I had a nickel for all the times I’ve heard something about wishing California would just “go away”—and this is usually accompanied with an eye roll and a cluck of the tongue.) It seems OK, like, certainly I must think so, too. Here’s the thing: I don’t. I think it’s kind of great here.
And as much as people have shared their thoughts regarding this state with me, my daughter has heard even more. I was with my daughter at a wedding within a year of their moving to LA when the woman seated next to her at the dinner asked where she lived. Maria told her, and there was that familiar look. Maria explained that her husband was offered an amazing job opportunity, which led the family to move from North Carolina to California.
Eye roll. Tongue cluck. “Well . . . was it worth it?” she asked. . . . . .Really?
In that case, tell me how horrible California is, but leave my kid alone. Statements like that are not helpful.
I’ll admit, we braced for the move, having received lots of unsolicited advice about life in California—especially Los Angeles. Just how bad was it supposed to be?
Here’s what we’ve found to be true: California is stunning! Every single time I come out here and see the mountains, I can’t believe how amazing they are. I never get tired of looking at them. The mountains are one thing, the hills are another. Living in flat Florida, seeing the hills here and how the houses seem to hang off of them never ceases to amaze me. The route between Maria’s house and the older girls’ school takes you right over a very steep hill. How the car doesn’t fall right off, I don’t know, but I’m glad it doesn’t.
I could write for days about the foliage. I love taking the family dog, Arlo, for a walk and just ogle every flower and plant. Good night, I’ve taken so many pictures of them! There are a few similar to Florida’s flora, but so many different ones. Roses for miles! And birds! Hummingbirds so plentiful one could almost get tired of seeing them—almost.
Turns out God resides in California; in fact, God made California, even though some might think otherwise.
I haven’t even mentioned the people. Neighbors help each other. People say “Good morning” when we pass on the sidewalk as I walk Arlo. They think he’s cute and want to pet him. Moms and Dads take their kids to school and care about what happens there. People go to grocery stores and gas stations. They do their laundry and take their kids to the doctor when they get sick.
Are there some colorful people here? Yup. Sometimes a person has greeted me as I walked into a store, and I’ve had to resist the urge to do a double-take because of their appearance, for one reason or another. But their greeting seems genuine, and what does it matter if maybe it’s a man wearing make-up? Weren’t both of us created in God’s image?
Yes, there are many highways here with heavy traffic. But there are so many really cool parts of the city that have so much to offer. Museums, shops, restaurants, parks. I know “diversity” has become a dirty word, but it’s also beautiful.
I know this anti-California talk is politically based. I think maybe because I wear a cross necklace, some people might see that and think I can say such-and-such and it will be OK. After all, all Christians think the same, right? I may be “outing” myself as an “other-thinker” and could even lose friends over it, but I have to say no, we don’t all think the same. I can still believe that Jesus died for my sins and I can have eternal life with God because of His sacrifice on my behalf… and not hate California. I can study my Bible and be awed by what I find there every time I read it… and not align myself with a certain political party. Some may disagree with me, and that’s fine, but I am totally at peace with my beliefs.
OK, where is the encouragement in all of this? I know this is a bit different than my usual letters, but for anyone out there who might feel like you are a bit different than all your friends, take heart, you’re not alone. If you feel like you need to bite your tongue in certain circles lest you let your “other”-ness show, know there are others doing the same. I guess I’ve been biting my tongue for so long, and I just needed to stop. Maybe staying quiet to keep the peace isn’t really the right thing to do.
And now, back to these beautiful flowers and birds!
Written with love – – – Patti XOXO
PS – Next week, I’ll be visiting my son’s family, so I won’t be able to write to you. I’ll write again on February 9.